Protesters tore the crowns off NYC's oldest fence in 1776
Protesters in New York City removed the crowns from the oldest fence in the city, which dates back to 1773. This fence, originally built to protect a statue of George III, has significant historical ties to the American Revolution. The act of vandalism occurred after a reading of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, marking a pivotal moment in the city's history.
- ▪The Bowling Green park is the oldest park in New York City, established in 1733.
- ▪The fence was constructed in 1773 to protect a statue of George III.
- ▪Protesters led by the Sons of Liberty dismantled the statue and removed the finials from the fence in 1776.
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Protesters tore the crowns off NYC's oldest fence in 1776 Gail Sherman 10:25 am Wed May 20, 2026 Image: Public Domain Bowling Green is the oldest park in New York City. The park was established in 1733 as, well, a bowling green, and leased from local businesses for the cost of "one peppercorn a year," or a nominal fee. The Charging Bull has attracted the most attention from tourists since its installation at the northern end of the park in 1989. But surrounding the park's fountain is an innocuous cast-iron fence that is part of the history of the American Revolution. The fence was constructed in 1773 to protect a statue of George III, which had been the subject of graffiti and vandalism by increasingly frequent protesters in the park.
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